2013-14 Houston Rockets Preview

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Rockets landed the biggest prize in the
offseason: a seven-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and
Superman in training, Dwight Howard.

The most attractive free agent this summer, Howard signed with the Rockets,
spurning his incumbent Los Angeles Lakers and the upstart Golden State
Warriors.

"This is very special. Words really can't explain how I feel about being
here," Howard said. "It is a fresh start, a clean slate. I am looking forward
to doing it in Houston with these beautiful fans behind me. I think it is
going to be great. I am looking forward to embracing this city and giving them
everything I got."

Howard's one season in Hollywood was not glamorous. The Lakers played well
below expectations, squeaked into the playoffs and disbanded, due in large
part, to Howard's departure.

Through the disappointment of the 2012-13 campaign, Howard's numbers dipped,
but were still extraordinary. He averaged 17.1 ppg (down almost 3.0 ppg from
the previous season), but led the NBA in rebounding with 12.4 per game and
finished fifth in the league in blocked shots at 2.45 a contest.

The numbers and the underachieving weren't the truly alarming facets of
Howard's season with the Lakers. It was that Howard continued to appear like a
malcontent and a problem. He clashed with Kobe Bryant about his role in the
offense and within the team.

But Howard gets a fresh start with one of last season's most surprising teams.
Just before the regular season, the Rockets acquired James Harden from the
Oklahoma City Thunder for peanuts. He turned into an All-Star, one of the top-
five best scorers in the league and one of its top players.

Houston made the postseason with relative ease and even took a few games from
the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. (It helped that Russell Westbrook wasn't
there, but let's not rain on parades.)

The Rockets were the NBA's second-highest scoring team and one of the most
storied three-point shooting teams in history.

Defensively, Houston finished 28th in a 30-team league in opponents' scoring.

Howard can change that stat and quickly.

Now, the Rockets are being discussed as legitimate NBA Championship
contenders. That's not pundits or guys in studios claiming it, that comes from
the top of the Houston brass.

"Dwight is the biggest free agent acquisition in the history of the Rockets,"
said owner Leslie Alexander. "His addition puts us in contention."

We shall see.

2012-13 Results: 45-37, 3rd in Southwest; Lost in West quarterfinals to
Oklahoma City

FRONTCOURT: Howard immediately makes this unit awesome. Defensively, he'll
improve this group immeasurably considering he is probably the league's best
rim protector. The up-tempo style the Rockets play doesn't seem to suit
Howard's game, but he can run the floor for cheap baskets and when they slow
down, Howard can kick to open shooters, which makes Houston incredibly
difficult to defend.

Parsons is a great choice for Most Improved Player. Last season, only his
second in the NBA, Parsons' scoring numbers jumped from 9.5 ppg to 15.5 ppg.
He shot 48 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. With Howard
demanding double-teams, Parsons will get plenty of open looks.

Asik is a much trickier subject, assuming head coach Kevin McHale decides to
start him alongside Howard. Asik, who signed as a free agent last season,
averaged 10.1 ppg and 11.7 rpg. Those numbers are beyond serviceable, but Asik
didn't love the signing of another center, and, a better one. Asik reportedly
requested a trade, but Houston declined. Asik and Howard could work together
and be the best rebounding duo in the league, but quicker power forwards might
force McHale to go with a more traditional four like Motiejunas or Jones.

"We're going to give it every opportunity to work," McHale said at media day.
"If it sucks, I'm surely not going to continue to do it. If it plays well,
I'll try and do it more.

"They've got to make it work. I can't make it work. My expectation is to give
them every opportunity to make it work."

BACKCOURT: Harden is spectacular. He averaged 25.9 ppg, 5.8 apg and 4.9 rpg,
all career highs. (His minutes also were a career-best 38.3 per game.) Harden
is not just a great scorer and shooter (37 percent from 3-point range), but a
great facilitator. Those assist numbers are high for an off guard.

Harden had to post those assist totals because Jeremy Lin wasn't quite the
superstar he was for two weeks in New York City two years ago. His numbers
weren't drastically in decline, but he was not as dynamic as he was with the
Knicks.

BENCH: This group wasn't a source of strength for the Rockets last season.
Carlos Delfino and Beverley were the only real impact second-stringers.
Delfino was released in a cost-cutting measure, but Camby and Brewer will
bring immediate help.

Beverley is a big key. He could supplant Lin if Lin struggles. Beverley is a
big-time energy guy.

Garcia emerged in the postseason, both offensively and defensively. McHale
will count on him.

Jones and Smith are athletic, tough guys. Casspi will take Delfino's role, but
he's not as good at it.

Motiejunas has a ton of upside and McHale gave him a shot at the starting job
last season. He didn't keep it very long, but he has the most potential in the
crop of bench forwards.

COACHING: McHale made six All-Defensive teams in his Hall of Fame career.
There's a part of him that has to hate this team is so deficient in that
aspect.

But, give McHale credit for adapting his personnel last season to their
strength. This team can shoot and score and with Howard around, defense will
improve.

Coaching Howard has taken years off Stan Van Gundy's and Mike D'Antoni's
lives. Howard can be moody and difficult, but neither of those fine gentlemen
have McHale's pedigree. He should be alright, although getting Howard his
touches in the flow of their offensive structure, coupled with making sure
Harden is taken care of, might be the biggest source of stress for McHale.

OUTLOOK: This team is certainly playoff bound, but are they contenders?

With no natural power forward and some question marks on the bench, probably
not.

The Rockets are relying on Howard to change their defense and he's capable,
but, despite the nickname, he's not Superman. The on-the-ball defense needs to
improve drastically.

Expect Houston to still be in the top five offensively. They are loaded on
offense. Don't expect much of a decline from Harden and Parsons' numbers could
grow.

The NBA is a superstar-driven league and with Harden and Howard, the Rockets
have two. They are closer than ever and give General Manager Daryl Morey
credit for turning a dreadful roster into a top-10 in the league.

The Rockets could host a first-round playoff series, but they're just not
quite at the championship door.